What time is kick off?

It's a 7:45pm start at the Riverside Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Unless you're one of the 3,040 Reds fans travelling up to Teesside then you're stuck because the game isn't being televised in the UK. BT Sport have chosen Crystal Palace v Manchester United as their featured Premier League game – perhaps hoping for some kind of drama akin to Eric Cantona's kung fu kick back in 1995? - while Sky are showing Rafael Benitez's Newcastle United at Wigan Athletic.

Therefore your best plan of action is to stick with the Echo's live match blog with expert comment from James Pearce and Kristian Walsh in the stadium plus Andy Kelly and Neil Jones back at base in Old Hall Street.

Who is the referee?

Sunderland-born Jonathan Moss who now lives in Horsforth, West Yorkshire, will take charge.

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The 46-year-old officiated Liverpool's 2-1 win in the EFL Cup over Tottenham Hotspur in October.

That night he dished out five yellow cards – three to Reds players Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marko Grujic and Danny Ings – and his seasonal record for 2016/17 to date is 65 bookings in 14 matches which averages a hefty 4.64 yellows per game and he has also sent two players off.

Who should I look out for in the Middlesbrough team?

There are a few familiar faces in the Boro squad in the shape of Anfield old boys.

Winger Stewart Downing who the Reds paid £20million for in 2011 is now back in a second spell at his home town club.

Luis Suarez is congratulated by team-mate Stewart Downing after scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Liverpool at Carrow Road on April 28, 2012 (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Right-back Antonio Barragan made a solitary Liverpool appearance while still a teenager as a substitute for Spanish compatriot Fernando Morientes in a Champions League qualifier against CSKA Sofia back in 2005.

Now 29, he returned to England after a decade back home to join Boro from Valencia in the summer.

Another fellow Spaniard Daniel Ayala, 26, started his career with Liverpool and made five senior appearances for the Reds.

Following spells with Hull City, Derby County, Norwich City and Nottingham Forest the centre-back was regular for Boro earlier this season before picking up an ankle injury and now fit again he's trying to force his way back into the first team picture.

Who is the Middlesbrough manager?

Aitor Karanka was a stalwart defender in the Spanish game with spells at Athletic Bilbao either side of a stint at Real Madrid before finishing his career in the USA with Colorado Rapids.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka. Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Born in the Basque capital of Vitoria, he served as Real Madrid's assistant coach for three years between 2010-13 before taking the top job at Boro.

Despite an intriguing training ground argument in March this year after which he considered his future at the club, the 43-year-old stayed on to steer the side back into the Premier League for the first time in seven years as Championship runners-up.

Any injury news?

A knee problem that prevented Emre Can from being involved against West Ham is expected to keep the Germany international sidelined while Dejan Lovren will be monitored after being substituted through cramp against the Londoners.

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For Boro, striker Alvaro Negredo is in contention to return from a hamstring strain but Gaston Ramirez remains out with a foot problem.

George Friend is back in full training but may not be risked for this game.

What happened the last time the sides met?

A marathon 30-kick penalty shoot-out which obviously can't be replicated on this occasion for a Premier League encounter.

The record-equalling tie-breaker which matched a previous lengthy session between Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient in 2011 took place in the League Cup third round at Anfield on September 23 2014.

The game finished 2-2 after extra time with Jordan Rossiter (10) and Suso (109) netting for the Reds who finally progressed after Albert Adomoah's miss.

Jordan Rossiter celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Middlesbrough at Anfield on September 23, 2014. (Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The most recent meeting at the Riverside was a 2-0 win for Boro in February 2009 with Xabi Alonso's own goal being followed by a Tuncay strike.

Any other interesting stuff I should be aware of?

Arguably the most high-profile member of the Spanish enclave in Teesside is goalkeeper Victor Valdes who won the Champions League three times with Barcelona.

After coming in from the cold after a spell on the bench at Manchester United and a short loan spell with Standard Liege, Karanka is delighted with the 34-year-old's form.

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The Boro boss said: “He was a player who we had to bring to the club, because he is a great goalkeeper and a leader in the locker room.

“In the beginning he was not at the level he is at now, but it was understandable. He came from a long period of non-playing time, and before that he was in Barcelona. So it was a little hard for him at first.

“I helped him maybe. We had a few meetings, and now he does well.”

What should I be betting on?

Unlike the Reds who are free-scoring but far from water tight at the back, Boro's games tend to have fewer goals.

They've only conceded 16 times in 16 games so far this season – a figure which is four fewer than Liverpool – but with just 13 goals scored in that time they're currently languishing in 16 place.